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Say hello to our new moon
AFP ^
| Fri Mar 26, 2004
Posted on 03/29/2004 12:13:58 PM PST by presidio9
Earth has acquired a "quasi-moon" -- an asteroid that will encircle our planet for the next couple of years while it orbits the sun on a horseshoe-shaped path, according to a report to be published on Saturday in New Scientist.
The asteroid, 2003 YN17, "is probably a chunk of debris" from an impact between a larger space rock and the surface of the moon, the British weekly says.
2003 YN17's orbital plane is roughly the same as the earth's, but its unusual path, compounded by a corkscrew-like track, means that sometimes it is ahead of us and sometimes it is behind.
"Since 1996, its path has taken it round the earth, making it a quasi-satellite. This phase will last until 2006," the report says.
The finders are a team led by Paul Chodas, an asteroid specialist at NASA (news - web sites)'s famed Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.
Two other "quasi-moons" -- temporary fellow-travellers that loop around the earth for while as they girdle the sun -- have been spotted in recent years: Cluithne and asteroid 2002 AA29.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2002aa29; 2003aa29; 2003yn17; 2006rh120; cluithne; cruithne; minimoon; minimoons; moon; quasisatellite; quasisatellites; rh120
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To: Thinkin' Gal
A scene from my favorite classic TV show, "The Honey 2003 YN17ers."
Ralph: One of these days Alice, BANG! ZOOM! Straight to 2003 YN17!!!
81
posted on
03/30/2004 6:25:52 AM PST
by
presidio9
(protectionism is a false god)
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
That's good. Kerryoid.
82
posted on
03/30/2004 7:00:13 AM PST
by
b4its2late
(I love defenseless animals, especially in a good gravy.)
To: Xenalyte; humblegunner; Hap; pax_et_bonum; Allegra
83
posted on
03/30/2004 8:01:31 AM PST
by
Bacon Man
(Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever.)
To: Bacon Man
I've said it before and I'll say it again . . . the small geetar-strummin' spongmonkey looks like the Dread Boston Salty.
84
posted on
03/30/2004 8:11:00 AM PST
by
Xenalyte
(in memory of James Edward Peck, my grandfather, who passed on 3/23/04)
To: Bacon Man; Xenalyte
It's Reverend 2003 YN17!
Who, unfortunately for him, does not look like the Dread Boston Salty.
To: Xenalyte
I've said it before and I'll say it again . . . the small geetar-strummin' spongmonkey looks like the Dread Boston Salty. When you're right, you're right.
86
posted on
03/30/2004 8:14:34 AM PST
by
Bacon Man
(Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever.)
To: humblegunner; Xenalyte
Who, unfortunately for him, does not look like the Dread Boston Salty. Oh yea the rev could definately do with some bug eyes.
87
posted on
03/30/2004 8:21:21 AM PST
by
Bacon Man
(Beware the lollipop of mediocrity. Lick once and you suck forever.)
To: Bacon Man
2003 YN17ing is a popular stunt in small town America.
88
posted on
03/30/2004 6:04:08 PM PST
by
gitmo
(Thanks, Mel. I needed that.)
To: reagan_fanatic
There is an asteroid named "zappafrank".
Gotta love it.
89
posted on
03/30/2004 6:12:40 PM PST
by
Central Scrutiniser
(May the Good Lord take a shinin' to ya, and blow ya up real soon!)
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